Method and system for operating a flow battery system based on energy costs

ABSTRACT

A method and system for storing and/or discharging electrical energy that has a cost, which method includes steps of: (a) providing a flow battery system comprising at least one flow battery cell and a controller; (b) operating the flow battery cell at a power density having a first value; and (c) changing the power density at which the flow battery cell is operated from the first value to a second value as a function of the cost of the electrical energy, wherein the power density is changed using the controller, and wherein the second value is different than the first value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/022,285 filed Feb. 7, 2011, which is related toPCT/US09/68681 filed on Dec. 18, 2009.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to a flow battery system and, moreparticularly, to a method for operating a flow battery system based onenergy costs.

2. Background Information

A typical flow battery system is configured to store and dischargeelectrical energy. Such a flow battery system, for example, can convertelectrical energy generated by a power source into chemical energy,which is stored within a pair of anolyte and catholyte solutions. Theflow battery system can later convert the stored chemical energy backinto an electrical energy form that can be transferred and used outsideof the flow battery system.

Flow battery systems are typically operated at substantially constantand relatively high round trip efficiencies in an effort to maximize netrevenue by minimizing operational costs. The term “round tripefficiency” is used herein to describe an efficiency of convertingelectrical energy to chemical energy, storing the chemical energy, andconverting the chemical energy back into electrical energy. Theoperational costs can be minimized at relatively high round tripefficiencies because the ratio of (i) electrical energy purchased forstorage to (ii) electrical energy discharged and sold typicallydecreases as the round trip efficiency increases. The operation of aflow battery system at such a relatively high round trip efficiency,however, does not account for fluctuations in electrical energy costs.The term “energy costs” or “cost of energy” is used herein to describe anet monetary cost of electrical energy.

Energy costs can be influenced by various factors such as time of dayand consumer energy demand. The cost of energy during a typical day, forexample, will vary between peak hours (e.g., when consumer demand is ata peak) and non-peak hours (e.g., when consumer demand is at a low).

Energy costs can also be influenced by other factors such as energysurplus. An energy surplus is created when a quantity of electricalenergy generated by one or more power sources is greater than theconsumer energy demand. The net cost of energy for an operator of a windturbine can be relatively low or even negative during nighttime hours,for example, when public utilities pay the operator to reduce or ceasethe wind turbine output to the public power grid when there is an energysurplus thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a flow batterysystem, which includes one or more flow battery cells arranged in astack.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of one embodiment of one of theflow battery cells in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic illustration of the flowbattery cell in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 graphically illustrates a functional relationship betweenover-potential efficiency and power density of a flow battery cellduring energy storage (i.e., charge) and energy discharge modes ofoperation.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method for operating the flow batterysystem in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram is shown of a flow batterysystem 10. The present flow battery system 10 is configured to storeand/or discharge electrical energy as a function of the cost of theelectrical energy. The flow battery system 10 includes a firstelectrolyte storage tank 12, a second electrolyte storage tank 14, afirst electrolyte circuit loop 16, a second electrolyte circuit loop 18,a first flow regulator 19, a second flow regulator 21, one or more flowbattery cells 20 arranged in a stack 22, a power converter 25, and acontroller 23.

The first and second electrolyte storage tanks 12 and 14 are eachadapted to hold and store one of a pair of electrolyte solutions (e.g.,an anolyte solution or a catholyte solution). Examples of suitableelectrolyte solution pairs include vanadium and vanadium solutions,bromine and polysulphide solutions, vanadium and bromide solutions, etc.

The first and second electrolyte circuit loops 16 and 18 each have asource conduit 24, 26, and a return conduit 28, 30, respectively.

The first and second flow regulators 19 and 21 are each adapted toselectively regulate flow of one of the electrolyte solutions through arespective one of the electrolyte circuit loops 16, 18 in response to arespective regulator control signal. Each flow regulator 19, 21 caninclude a single device, such as a variable speed pump or anelectronically actuated valve, or a plurality of such devices, dependingupon the particular design requirements of the flow battery system. Thepresent system 10, however, is not limited to any particular type offlow regulator.

Referring to FIG. 2, each flow battery cell 20 includes a first currentcollector 32, a second current collector 34, a first liquid-porouselectrode layer 36 (hereinafter “first electrode layer”), a secondliquid-porous electrode layer 38 (hereinafter “second electrode layer”),and an ion-exchange membrane 40. Referring to FIG. 3, the ion-exchangemembrane 40 has a cross-sectional area 41. Referring again to FIG. 2,the ion-exchange membrane 40 is disposed between the first and secondelectrode layers 36 and 38. The first and second electrode layers 36 and38 are disposed between the first and second current collectors 32 and34. Examples of such a flow battery cell are disclosed in PCTApplication No. PCT/US09/68681, which is incorporated by reference inits entirety.

Each flow battery cell 20 is configured to operate over a relativelywide range of round trip efficiencies (e.g., 40 to 90 percent), and arelatively wide range of power densities such as, for example, between xto approximately 50x mW/cm² (e.g., 20 to 1000 mW/cm²), where “x”represents a power density value. The term “round trip efficiency” isused herein, as indicated above, to describe an efficiency of convertingelectrical energy to chemical energy, storing the chemical energy, andconverting the chemical energy back into electrical energy. The term“power density” is used herein to describe a ratio of (i) electricalpower delivered to or drawn from the stack 22 of flow battery cells 20to (ii) a sum of the cross-sectional areas 41 (see FIG. 3) of the flowbattery cells 20 in the stack 22.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the power converter 25 is adapted toselectively regulate (i) a rate at which the stack 22 of flow batterycells 20 receives electrical energy from an energy input 27, and (ii) arate at which the stack 22 of flow battery cells 20 dischargeselectrical energy through an energy output 29, in response to aconverter control signal. The power converter 25 can include a singletwo-way power converter or a pair of one-way power converters, dependingupon the particular design requirements of the flow battery system.Examples of suitable power converters include a power inverter, a DC/DCconverter connected to a DC bus, etc. The present system 10, however, isnot limited to any particular type of power conversion or regulationdevice.

The controller 23 can be implemented by one skilled in the art usinghardware, software, or a combination thereof. The hardware can include,for example, one or more processors, analog and/or digital circuitry,etc.

The controller 23 is configured to control the operation of the stack 22of flow battery cells 20 as a function of various parameters includingthe cost of energy. In one embodiment, for example, the controller 23 isprogrammed to (i) track changes (i.e., increases and/or decreases) inthe cost of energy, and (ii) control the power density and the roundtrip efficiency at which flow battery cells 20 are operated based, atleast in part, on the tracked changes. The controller 23 can trackchanges in the cost of energy, for example, by (i) determining the costof energy at various points in time using an energy cost schedule, and(ii) tracking how the costs of energy change as a function of time. Aschedule, which can be implemented as a lookup table, correlating costto purchase electrical energy from an energy source to time of day is anexample of an energy cost schedule. The controller 23 can subsequentlygenerate the converter and regulator control signals to periodically orcontinuously increase or decrease the power density and/or the roundtrip efficiency at which each flow battery cell 20 is operated based onthe tracked changes in the cost of energy, which will be described belowin further detail. The present controller, however, is not limited tothe aforesaid embodiment. In alternate embodiments, for example, thecontroller 23 can operate the stack 22 of flow battery cells 20 at acertain predetermined power density (e.g., selected from a lookup table)that corresponds to an up-to-date value of the determined cost ofenergy; e.g., if the cost of energy is above, at or below a certainvalue, the power density is set to a certain corresponding value.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first flow regulator 19 is disposed inline within the first electrolyte circuit loop 16. The source conduit 24of the first electrolyte circuit loop 16 fluidly connects the firstelectrolyte storage tank 12 to one or both of the first currentcollector 32 and the first electrode layer 36 of each flow battery cell20. The return conduit 28 of the first electrolyte circuit loop 16reciprocally fluidly connects the first current collector 32 and/or thefirst electrode layer 36 of each flow battery cell 20 to the firstelectrolyte storage tank 12.

The second flow regulator 21 is disposed in line within the secondelectrolyte circuit loop 18. The source conduit 26 of the secondelectrolyte circuit loop 18 fluidly connects the second electrolytestorage tank 14 to one or both of the second current collector 34 andthe second electrode layer 38 of each flow battery cell 20. The returnconduit 30 of the second electrolyte circuit loop 18 reciprocallyfluidly connects the second current collector 34 and/or the secondelectrode layer 38 of each flow battery cell 20 to the secondelectrolyte storage tank 14.

The controller 23 is in signal communication (e.g., hardwired orwirelessly connected) with the power converter 25, and the first andsecond flow regulators 19 and 21. The power converter 25 is electricallyconnected to the first and second current collectors 32 and 34 of eachflow battery cell 20 in the stack 22.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2, during operation of the flow batterysystem 10, a first electrolyte solution (e.g., a vanadium electrolytesolution, a bromine electrolyte solution, etc.) is circulated betweenthe first electrolyte storage tank 12 and the flow battery cells 20through the first electrolyte circuit loop 16. More particularly, thefirst flow regulator 19 controls the flow rate of the first electrolytesolution through the source conduit 24 of the first electrolyte circuitloop 16 to the first current collector 32 in each flow battery cell 20.The first electrolyte solution flows through channels 42 in the firstcurrent collector 32, and can permeate or flow into and out of the firstelectrode layer 36. The return conduit 28 of the first electrolytecircuit loop 16 directs the first electrolyte solution from the firstcurrent collector 32 of each flow battery cell 20 back to the firstelectrolyte storage tank 12.

A second electrolyte solution (e.g., a vanadium electrolyte solution, apolysulphide electrolyte solution, etc.) is circulated between thesecond electrolyte storage tank 14 and the flow battery cells 20 throughthe second electrolyte circuit loop 18. More particularly, the secondflow regulator 21 controls the flow rate of the second electrolytesolution through the source conduit 26 of the second electrolyte circuitloop 18 to the second current collector 34 in each flow battery cell 20.The flow rates of the first and second electrolytic solutions aretypically equal or relatively similar. The second electrolyte solutionflows through channels 44 in the second current collector 34, and canpermeate or flow into and out of the second electrode layer 38. Thereturn conduit 30 of the second electrolyte circuit loop 18 directs thesecond electrolyte solution from the second current collector 34 of eachflow battery cell 20 back to the second electrolyte storage tank 14.

The first and second electrolyte solutions electrochemically react inreversible reduction-oxidation (“redox”) reactions as the solutions flowthrough the current collectors 32 and 34 and permeate or flow throughthe electrode layers 36 and 38. During an energy storage mode ofoperation, for example, ionic species (e.g., H⁺, Na⁺, etc.) aretransferred from the first electrolyte solution to the secondelectrolyte solution across the ion-exchange membrane 40. The transferof the ionic species converts electrical energy, received from a powersource via the power converter 25 and input into each flow battery cell20 through its current collectors 32 and 34, into chemical energy. Thechemical energy is then stored in the electrolyte solutions, which arerespectively stored in the first and second electrolyte storage tanks 12and 14. During an energy discharge mode of operation, on the other hand,the ionic species are transferred from the second electrolyte solutionto the first electrolyte solution. The transfer of the ionic speciesconverts the chemical energy back to electrical energy. The regeneratedelectrical energy then passes out of each flow battery cell 20 throughits current collectors 32 and 34, and can be distributed to outside ofthe flow battery system through the power converter 25.

The ionic species are transferred across the ion-exchange membrane 40 ineach flow battery cell 20 according to a certain power density. The term“power density” is used herein, as indicated above, to describe a ratioof (i) electrical power delivered to or drawn from the stack 22 of flowbattery cells 20 to (ii) a sum of the cross-sectional areas 41 (see FIG.3) of the flow battery cells 20 in the stack 22. The power density isfunctionally related to the conversion rates of the reactants in thefirst and second electrolyte solutions that are circulated through flowbattery cells 20. The controller 23, therefore, can change the powerdensity at which the flow battery cells 20 are operated by increasing ordecreasing the rate at which the flow battery cells 20 receive ordischarge electrical energy using the power converter 25. The controller23 can also increase or decrease the flow rates of the electrolytesolutions using the first and second flow regulators 19 and 21 such thata sufficient supply of reactants are delivered to the flow battery cells20 to support the power density at which the cells are operated.Increasing or decreasing the power density, however, can also change theround trip efficiency of the flow battery system 10 and its net revenue.

The round trip efficiency of the flow battery system 10, as indicatedabove, is a measure of overall efficiency of the aforesaid processes ofconverting electrical energy to chemical energy, storing the chemicalenergy, and converting the chemical energy back into electrical energy.The round trip efficiency therefore is functionally related to (i) anefficiency at which the flow battery system 10 stores energy(hereinafter the “charge efficiency”) and (ii) an efficiency at whichthe flow battery system 10 discharges energy (hereinafter the “dischargeefficiency”). The round trip efficiency can be determined, for example,as follows:round trip efficiency=(charge efficiency)×(discharge efficiency).The charge and discharge efficiencies, as shown in FIG. 4, are eachinversely related to the power density at which the flow battery cells20 are operated; e.g., as the power density increases the charge anddischarge efficiencies decrease. The round trip efficiency, therefore,is also inversely related to the power density at which the flow batterycells 20 are operated; e.g., as the power density increases the roundtrip efficiency decreases.

The net revenue of the flow battery system 10 is a function of aplurality of cost parameters. The cost parameters can include (i) thecost of energy input into the system 10 during the energy storage modeof operation, (ii) the cost to operate the flow battery system 10 duringthe energy storage and discharge modes of operation, and (iii) the valueof energy discharged from the system 10 during the energy discharge modeof operation. The cost of energy during the energy storage mode ofoperation is related to the cost paid by a flow battery system operatorto purchase or produce the energy stored in the flow battery system. Thecost to operate the flow battery system during the energy storage anddischarge modes of operation is inversely related to the round tripefficiency of the flow battery system and, thus, the charge anddischarge efficiencies. The value of energy discharged from the system10 during the energy discharge mode of operation is related to a valueat which the discharged energy can be sold (i.e., a local market cost ofenergy during a time period when energy is discharged from the flowbattery system) or a savings that results from not having to purchaseenergy from a supplier (i.e., the cost of energy to a consumer). The netrevenue can be determined, for example, as follows:net revenue=(value of discharged energy)−(cost to store energy)−(cost tooperate).

A decrease in the round trip efficiency caused by an increase in thepower density can also decrease the net revenue of the flow batterysystem 10 since more energy must be purchased for a given amount ofenergy delivered or discharged (i.e., the cost to store energyincreases). Such a decrease in the round trip efficiency, however, canbe mitigated when the cost of energy during the energy storage mode ofoperation is relatively low, and/or when the value of discharged energyduring the energy discharge mode of operation is relatively high; e.g.,when the flow battery system operator pays a relatively small amount forthe stored energy, and is paid a relatively large amount by consumersfor the use of the discharged energy. Conversely, a relatively highenergy cost during the energy storage mode of operation and/or arelatively low value of the discharged energy during the energydischarge mode of operation can be mitigated by decreasing the powerdensity to decrease the cost to operate the flow battery system. Thecontroller 23, therefore, is programmed to continuously or periodicallyregulate the operation of the system based on parameters including thecost of electrical energy; e.g., control the power density at which theflow battery cells 20 are operated as a function of the cost of energy.In this manner, the controller 23 can increase the net revenue of theflow battery system 10 as compared to conventional flow battery systems,which operate at constant, or relatively narrow power density ranges(e.g., 20 to 100 mW/cm²).

Referring to FIG. 5, the controller 23 can be adapted to determine thecost of energy at various points in time during its operation (see step500). The cost of energy at each point in time can be determined, forexample, using an energy cost schedule. In some embodiments, thecontroller 23 can also predict how the cost of energy will likely changeat future points in time using the energy cost schedule or any suitablealgorithm (e.g., an algorithm based on a wind speed forecast where theflow battery system stores energy generated by wind turbines). Thecontroller 23 tracks changes in the cost of energy to determine whetherthe cost of energy has or will increase or decrease (see step 502). Thecontroller 23 subsequently regulates the power density at which eachflow battery cell 20 is operated based on the tracked changes (see step504). In an alternative embodiment, the controller 23 can operate eachflow battery cell 20 at a certain predetermined power density (e.g.,selected from a lookup table) that corresponds to an up-to-date orfuture value of the determined cost of energy (see step 506); e.g., ifthe cost of energy is above, at or below a certain value, the powerdensity is set to a certain corresponding value.

During the energy storage mode of operation, the controller 23 increasesthe power density at which the flow battery cells 20 are operated to arelatively high value (e.g., approximately 1000 mW/cm²; ˜6452 mW/in²)when the cost of electrical energy decreases to a relatively low value(e.g., during nonpeak hours). Such an increase in the power densitydecreases the charge efficiency (e.g., <approximately 80 percent) of theflow battery system 10 and, thus, increases the cost to operate the flowbattery system. The increased cost to operate the flow battery system10, however, can be mitigated by storing a relatively large quantity ofenergy (i.e., operating at a relatively high power density) that ispurchased at a relatively low cost.

Still during the aforesaid energy storage mode of operation, thecontroller 23 decreases the power density at which the flow batterycells 20 are operated to a relatively low value (e.g., to approximately20 mW/cm²; ˜129 mW/in²) when the cost of electrical energy increases toa relatively high value (e.g., during peak hours). Such a decrease inpower density increases the charge efficiency (e.g., ≥approximately 90percent) of the flow battery system 10 and, thus, decreases the cost tooperate the flow battery system. The relatively high cost paid to inputthe energy stored in the flow battery system therefore can be mitigatedby decreasing the cost to operate the flow battery system. In someembodiments, the controller 23 can also turn off the energy storage modeof operation when the cost of energy is above a maximum level.

Similarly, during the energy discharge mode of operation, the controller23 increases the power density at which the flow battery cells 20 areoperated to a relatively high value when the value of the dischargedelectrical energy increases to a relatively high value (e.g., duringpeak hours). Such an increase in the power density decreases thedischarge efficiency of the flow battery system 10 and, thus, increasesthe cost to operate the flow battery system. The increased cost tooperate the flow battery system, however, can be mitigated bydischarging a relatively large quantity of energy (i.e., operating at arelative high power density) when the value of the electrical energy isrelatively high.

Still during the aforesaid energy discharge mode of operation, thecontroller 23 decreases the power density at which the flow batterycells 20 are operated to a relatively low value when the value of thedischarged electrical energy decreases to a relatively low value (e.g.,during nonpeak hours). Such a decrease in the power density increasesthe discharge efficiency of the flow battery system 10 and, thus,decreases the cost to operate the flow battery system. The relativelylow value of the discharged electrical energy therefore can be mitigatedby decreasing the cost to operate the flow battery system. In someembodiments, the controller 23 can also turn off the energy dischargemode of operation when the cost of energy is below a minimum level.

The flow battery cells 20 can be operated at substantially equal ordifferent power densities and/or efficiencies during the energy storageand discharge modes of operation. The controller 23 can decrease thepower density and, thus, increase the charge efficiency, for example,during nighttime hours when the flow battery system 10 has a relativelylong period of time to charge. The controller 23 can increase the powerdensity and, thus, decrease the discharge efficiency, on the other hand,during peak hours when there is a relatively high consumer energydemand.

The controller 23 can operate the flow battery cells 20, as indicatedabove, over a relatively wide range of power densities such as, forexample, between x to 50x mW/cm² (e.g., 20 to 1000 mW/cm²). In otherembodiments, however, the controller 23 can operate the flow batterycells 20 over a smaller range of power densities such as, for example,between x to 10-20x (e.g., 20 to 200-400 mW/cm²).

In some embodiments, the controller 23 can operate the flow batterycells 20 over a relatively wide range of charge and/or dischargeefficiencies such as, for example, between fifty and ninety-five percent(50-95%). In other embodiments, the controller 23 can operate the flowbattery cell 20 over a smaller range of round trip efficiencies such,for example, between eighty to ninety percent (80-90%).

In some embodiments, the flow battery system 10 can be operated inconjunction with a wind turbine (not shown). The controller 23 canincrease the power density at which the flow battery cells 20 areoperated in order to store a relatively large quantity of electricalenergy during nighttime hours when, for example, a public utility wouldotherwise pay the turbine operator to reduce or cease the turbine outputto the public power grid.

In some embodiments, the flow battery system 10 can be operated by aconsumer. The controller 23 can increase the power density at which theflow battery cells 20 are operated to a maximum (or highest possible)value during the energy discharge mode of operation, for example, toavoid or offset inflated energy costs or peak-demand charges during peakhours.

While various embodiments of the flow battery system have beendisclosed, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artthat many more embodiments and implementations are possible.Accordingly, the disclosed flow battery system and method of operationare not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims andtheir equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flow battery system for at least one of storingand discharging electrical energy that has a cost, comprising one ormore flow battery cells, each adapted to operate at a power density; anda controller programmed to change the power density at which the flowbattery cells operate over a range between a first power density valueand a second power density value as a function of the cost of theelectrical energy, wherein the second power density value is between tenand fifty times larger than the first power density value.
 2. The flowbattery system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed tochange the power density at which the flow battery cells are operatedduring an energy storage mode of operation by: increasing the powerdensity when the cost of the electrical energy is decreasing; anddecreasing the power density when the cost of the electrical energy isincreasing.
 3. The flow battery system of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is programmed to change the power density at which the flowbattery cells are operated during an energy discharge mode of operationby: increasing the power density when the cost of the electrical energyis increasing; and decreasing the power density when the cost of theelectrical energy is decreasing.
 4. The flow battery system of claim 1,wherein the controller is programmed to change the power density from athird power density value to a fourth power density value when the costof the electrical energy is one of greater than, equal to, and less thana certain predetermined value, wherein the third power density value isdifferent than the fourth power density value.
 5. The flow batterysystem of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to change thepower density at which the flow battery cells are operated to a thirdpower density value during peak hours; and the controller is programmedto change the power density at which the flow battery cells are operatedto a fourth power density value during nonpeak hours, wherein the fourthpower density value is different than the third power density value. 6.The flow battery system of claim 1, further comprising a power converterconnected to the flow battery cells, wherein the controller isprogrammed to change the power density at which the flow battery cellsare operated by controlling operation of the power converter.
 7. Theflow battery system of claim 1, Wherein the first power density value isequal to 20 mW/cm² and the second power density value is equal to 1000mW/cm².
 8. The flow battery system of claim 1, Wherein the first powerdensity value is equal to 20 mW/cm² and the second power density valueis equal to 200 mW/cm².
 9. The flow battery system of claim 1, whereinthe first power density value is equal to 20 mW/cm² and the second powerdensity value is equal to 400 mW/cm².